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Ship Spotlight: Norwegian Spirit

• December 13, 2015

Originally launched in 1998 as Superstar Leo, the lead ship of Star Cruises Leo class.  Its transfer to Norwegian Cruise Lines and refit and rebirth as the Norwegian Spirit resulted from a storm in Germany that hit the Lloyd-Werft shipyards and partially sank the nearly completed Pride of America.  To meet the reservations for the delayed Pride the Leo was transferred to Norwegian and after a two week refit emerged as the Spirit.

The Spirit still retains the East Asian theme and décor from when it cruised the Western Pacific as the Leo.  An interesting factoid was that as the Superstar Leo she inspired the name of a racehorse of the same name.  Superstar Leo, the mare, would later lose a place to Invincible Spirit, the stallion before being retired.

Staterooms and Suites

There is no getting around the fact that the fact that the Spirit is a smaller ship, and its cabins are accordingly tiny.  They have been upgraded since the ship’s refit, and feature quality linens and touches that are higher class than the norm.  The cabins are still somewhat cramped.  Oddly, the bathrooms aboard are larger than normal.  The showers are large, and the toilets are in a cubby that can be closed off from the rest of the bathroom for privacy.  The ship also features over 300 interconnecting staterooms.  Combined with Norwegian’s excellent childcare services and activities this makes the Spirit surprisingly family friendly in spite of the smallish cabins.

Staterooms start on Deck 4 and with nothing above but more cabins these staterooms are some of your best bets for finding quiet aboard the ship.  Two of the staterooms on this deck have odd shapes and, as a consequence, more space than normal.  Inside stateroom 4479 is larger than average, and Oceanview cabin 4498 is close to being double the size.  Deck 5 has many oceanview cabins, and most of them have nothing above but more staterooms.  This makes Deck 5 another good choice for cruisers who like a view, but mind their budgets.  A word of caution though, the main dining room is directly above the aft cabins on the fifth deck.

The next deck up, Deck 6 hosts the main dining room aft which may result in sensitive cruisers being disturbed by noise.  Cabins towards the bow of the ship on Deck 6 are underneath the casino.  A source of noise at all hours’ day and night.  This is a deck that light sleepers will want to avoid.  Deck 7 is mostly given over to the casino and nightclubs without any staterooms to be found.  Deck 8 has the same noise problems Deck 6 does, this time from below rather than above.

Decks 9, 10, and 11 are the upscale neighborhoods on the Spirit.  Deck 9 is also where you begin to find balconies.  Unusually, most of these balcony rooms are adjoining, making Deck 9 the best choice for family cruises.  A trend that continues in a lesser way on the next two decks up.  Deck 11 features owner’s suites that adjoin balcony staterooms.  A feature that might be totally unique to the Spirit.  It should be noted that Deck 10 is home to the Buccaneer’s Wild Children’s pool and the childcare center.  Possibly a source of noise for those on Decks 10 and 9.  Deck 11 is also beneath the Lido Deck.  Another source of noise.

All together the Norwegian Spirit is a well-appointed, nicely put together, and compact ship that is a cut above average.  It just so also happens to be a loud ship with few places to retreat to if you grow tired of the noise.  That isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re out to socialize.  If you need a quiet place to read though, we suggest you book a balcony room.

Norwegian Spirit Itineraries

The Spirit will be sailing 7 and 14 day Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises out of Port Canaveral—Orlando and Beaches on the Norwegian website—until April of 2016.  After that it will begin making transatlantic passages to Barcelona.  The Spirit will be the only ship making regular transatlantic crossings out of Port Canaveral.

It will be replaced on its regular Caribbean cruises by the Epic.  A significantly larger ship.  The transoceanic voyages, and the new ship can be taken as a sign of the growth of the cruise industry, and of Port Canaveral’s increasing importance in it.

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Brandon Berger

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Complete List: Here’s What Happened to the Star Cruises Fleet

• March 15, 2023

With the sales of the SuperStar Aquarius and the SuperStar Gemini in late 2022, the entire Star Cruises fleet has had its fate sealed.

Here’s what happened to the ships operated by the cruise line before its collapse:

SuperStar Aquarius Year Built: 1993 Capacity: 1,529 guests Location: Alang, India Fate: Scrapped

In November, the SuperStar Aquarius became the latest cruise ship formerly owned by Star Cruises to be sold to a scrapyard.

Renamed Arius, the 1993-built vessel spent several months laid up in Sri Lanka before departing on its final voyage to India – where it’s currently being dismantled .

SuperStar Gemini Year Built: 1992 Capacity: 1,472 guests Location: Alang, India Fate: Scrapped

The former SuperStar Gemini also ended up beached for scrapping in November. Like its sister ship SuperStar Aquarius, the 1992-built vessel spent several months docked in Sri Lanka before heading to India.

Renamed Gem, the former Norwegian Dream is now being recycled at the Alang Shipbreaking Yard , with its building materials and fixtures being sold off or repurposed.

Star Pisces Year Built: 1991 Capacity: 1,384 guests Location: Alang, India Fate: Scrapped

In mid-2022, the Star Pisces became the second cruise ship of the former Star Cruises fleet to be sold to a scrapyard.

One of the company’s original vessels, the cruise ferry ended its 31-year sailing career after being beached at India’s Alang Ship Breaking Yard in July .

The Taipan Year Built: 1989 Capacity: 64 guests Location: Singapore Fate: Sold for further service

In May 2022, the Taipan became the only cruise ship in the former Star Cruises fleet to find a new operator.

Previously being used for charters and incentive cruises in Southeast Asia, the 32-cabin mega yacht was acquired by OM Ships , a German religious organization who plans to transform it into a missionary ship and floating bookshop.

SuperStar Libra Year Built: 1988 Capacity: 1,494 guests Location: Aliaga, Turkey Fate: Scrapped

The SuperStar Libra was also sold for scrapping in 2022. After ending its public operations in 2018, the former Star Cruises vessel arrived at the Aliaga Ship Breaking Yard in May .

Before ending its sailing career, the 1988-built cruise ship spent its last years serving as a floating hotel at the MV Werften – a Genting-owned shipyard in Wismar, Germany.

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Privacy Overview

Super Star Leo handed over

Hand-over 1 week ahead of contractual delivery date

Papenburg, 25.09.1998 - On 25th September, 1998, one week ahead of the agreed delivery date, the 76,800 gt cruise vessel Super Star Leo is completely finished and will be handed over by the MEYER WERFT shipyard of Papenburg/Germany to the Asian based cruise company Star Cruises in Southampton.

General Super Star Leo is the first of four cruise vessels under construction at MEYER WERFT for Star Cruises. These newbuildings will contribute to the favourable development of this young cruise company and strengthen its position as the leading Asian cruise line. Super Star Leo combines Asian-style luxurious decoration with state-of-the-art technology.

In addition to the novel design this luxury liner offers a variety of features: approximately 70 % of the cabins are outside cabins, most of them with private balconies; 1,125 crew members will provide excellent service while the highest safety and entertainment standards on board the new vessel will be guaranteed by the technically advanced diesel-electric propulsion plant, most modern interactive entertainment and communication systems and extensive stage equipment.

The "birth" of the present cruise vessel from Papenburg was watched by more than 200,000 people ­ over 105,000 people visited the shipyard over the past 12 months. More than 100,000 people witnessed the vessel´s passage up the River Ems. Super Star Leo will operate all year round offering several day cruises in the Asian archipelago. The sister vessel, Super Star Virgo, is presently under construction in the yard´s covered building dock and is scheduled to be delivered to Star Cruises in the summer of 1999.

Ship Design

CAVBINS AND PUBLIC SPACES

Cabins The ship is equipped with 17 suites, 591 outside and 374 inside cabins. On Decks 9 and 10 six Theme Suites and eleven Junior Suites are arranged. Each of the Theme Suites provides a living area, a bedroom, a bathroom and a guest toilet. The bedroom and bathroom are not separated so that the passenger enjoys an unobstructed view of the whirlpool. The bathroom is finished in marble and glass mosaic and is equipped with a whirlpool, a shower, a WC and a wash-stand. The Theme Suites on deck 10 have private balconies in front and at the sides and flexible walls. The suites can be enlarged to a size of 130 m2.

• interactive colour TV as well as a hi-fi system in the living room
• interactive colour TV in the bedroom
• interactive colour TV above the whirlpool
• fax machine

The Junior Suites are smaller in size but also have a combined bedroom and bathroom. In addition 162 standard suites with private balconies are provided on Decks 9-11. Each two cabins, connected by a communicating door, can be extended to a standard suite with an overall size of approximately 32 m² with separate bedroom/living room. Super Star Leo has 4 cabins that are specially designed to meet the requirements of disabled persons.

Total cabins arranged on board:

All passenger cabins are equipped with colour TV, telephone, safe, and individual temperature control.

PUBLIC SPACES

Grand Lobby (Decks 7-13) The focal point of the vessel is the 7-deck Grand Lobby. Deck 7 accommodates the reception and the Cappuccino Cafe. A double staircase leads to the exclusive shops and the adjacent Champagne Bar on Deck 8. The upper decks, which imitate house fronts, can be viewed best through the glass-walled lifts in the rear.

Magellan Restaurant (Deck 6) The classic style restaurant seating approximately 650 guests features impressive stern windows. The large glazed back wall provides an almost unobstructed view of the ship´s wake. A total of six different restaurants as well as various bars, bistros and cafes are available on board.

Tai Pan (Deck 7) This exclusive restaurant mainly serves Chinese dishes. The restaurant seats 102 passengers in separate private and VIP rooms.

Galaxy of the Stars (Deck 12) During the day the room serves as an observation lounge. At night this room is transformed into a disco. The main feature of the room is the glazed dome above the dance floor which has a diameter of over 4 metres. The spacious nature of the room is achieved by the large windows and the room´s height of up to 3 metres.

Moulin Rouge (Decks 7 8) The 2-level theatre seats approximately 1,000 passengers. The technical equipment includes a revolving stage, curtain tracks and a flying tower. Other special features include video and slide projectors, effects laser and special sound and effects lighting systems.

Maharajah´s (Deck 7) The vessel´s Casino extends over 2 levels and is divided into 3 different areas. In the Star Club the passengers may try their luck at various gambling tables or the more than 120 one-armed bandits, whereas the Club Royal and the Admiral Club are reserved for special guests and VIPs.

Buccaneer´s Children Pool (Deck 10) The children´s playground on board. In the aft part of deck 10, adjacent to the children´s playroom, one of the two large pool areas is situated. The focal point is the adventure pool which is integrated in a rock formation and equipped with two slides.

Beer Garden (Deck 13) This Bavarian-style outdoor bar area is a special location as it is the only place directly overlooking the Roman spa. The area is covered by a 400 m² canopy.

Roman Spa & Fitness Centre (Deck 12) This recreation and fitness centre includes hair and beauty salons, saunas and steam baths, a gymnasium fitted with the latest exercise equipment, and an aerobics area as well as two counter-current pools.

Roman Spa "Tivoli Pool" (Deck 12) The focal point of the main bathing area is a 14 by 5 m swimming pool which is surrounded by 4 whirlpools and a stage. The Roman style of this area is expressed by typical features such as Roman columns and architraves finished in seawater resistant artificial stone.

Celebrity Disco (Deck 13) The disco is arranged on the uppermost deck. The front and the side walls are fully glazed and special features include modern sound and effects lighting sytems above the dance floor which alone make it worth visiting the Celebrity Disco.

TECHNICAL OUTFIT

Safety Systems The ship is divided into 7 fire zones, and complies with the rules for a 2 compartment vessel and is designed according to the latest IMO regulations. The vessel is provided with 4 tenders, 14 lifeboats and 2 rescue boats. In addition, the ship is equipped with so-called "Marine Evacuation Systems" which enable the passengers to be evacuated onto the liferafts via a chute.

Galleys Passengers and crew are catered for by more than 80 galleys, pantries and bars offering a wide choice of different meals. In addition to the bakery on Deck 4, the crew galley on Deck 5, the main galley on Deck 6 and the lido galley on Deck 12, Japanese, Chinese, French and Muslim galleys are available on board.

Lighting Approximately 35,000 lighting points (energy-saving lamps, halogen lamps, incandescent lamps and fluorescent lights) are installed on board.

Telephone System The digital telephone system provides 80 satellite and GSM channels for ship-shore/shore-ship telephone calls. All passenger cabins are fitted with digital credit card telephones.

TV System The vessel is fitted with an interactive aerial system applying ATM technology with glass fibre and CAT5 cables. This system offers passengers a wide choice of interactive programmes (pay TV, booking shore excursions, tele-shopping etc.).

Integrated Bridge System The vessel is fitted with the integrated navigation and command system ATLAS NACOS 45-3. This system includes all components required to ensure safe navigation even in much frequented and narrow waters. The main feature of the system is the Multi Pilot II. All radar units have high resolution colour monitors providing the navigator with advanced means of distinguishing between the different symbols used.

Radio and Satellite Communication The communications and safety systems do not only comply with the latest Global Maritime Distress and Safety (GMDSS) regulations but exceed by far the usual international standards.

Manoeuvring Aids For the purpose of optimum manoeuvrability the vessel is equipped with 2 fixed pitch propellers, 2 bow thrusters, 1 stern thruster and 2 spade rudders, all operated by a joy-stick.

Electric Power Supply and Propulsion For the electric power generation 4 diesel generator sets, made by MAN B&W. Type 14 V 48/60 are installed, each developing an output of 14,700 kW at 514 rpm and driving a synchronous generator, made by ABB. For the vessel´s propulsion 2 electric motors, made by ABB, each with an output of 20,000 kW are installed. These motors transmit their power via shaft lines to the fixed pitch propellers.

Water Supply and Discharge Systems On board the vessel up to 1,800 m3 (= 1,800,000 l) of potable water can be produced within 24 hours. The potable water supply is divided into 5 systems serving decks 2-12 each via a ring line. The hot water circuit is heated with steam. Potable water can also be taken via bunker stations from ashore.

Sewage Treatment Plant All sewage water is collected through vacuum piping in 4 vacuum systems and treated in 4 biologically-operated sewage treatment plants.

Waste Handling System Waste is separated into burnable and non-burnable waste, then shredded and stored in silos and from there either led to the incinerators or to a recycling plant ashore.

Air Conditioning System The vessel is fitted with an air conditioning system suitable for worldwide operation thus guaranteeing a constant room temperature of 21 °C at outside temperatures of 0 to /- 35 °C. The 239 AC and ventilation plants on board handle a total air volume of approximately 2,500,000 m³.

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Welcome aboard The Super Star Virgo!

SuperStar Virgo offers so much more than first class dining and entertainment - it takes you to places where the sun, sea, people and culture blend colourfully well. Every deck onboard SuperStar Virgo teems with endless fun, entertainment and activities. As you cruise to the most exotic parts of Asia on this floating five-star resort, its more than 25 outlets of food and beverage, entertainment and recreation outlets will impress you. In fact, it is the only cruise ship in the world that has an authentic Indian restaurant on board that is certified 'halal'! View all packages for SuperStar Virgo

SuperStar Virgo is a Leo class cruise ship owned and operated by Star Cruises. She was built in 1999 by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The SuperStar Virgo was ordered by Star Cruises on 22 November 1995 from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany as the second ship of the Leo class, and the second newbuilding for Star Cruises. Like her sister ship SuperStar Leo, she was designed specifically for the Asian cruise market.[2] The keel of the SuperStar Virgo was laid on 18 November 1996, and she was floated out of drydock on 23 December 1998. She was delivered to Star Cruises on 2 August 1999.

Following the lengthy transit from Papenburg to Singapore the SuperStar Virgo entered service on cruises from Singapore on 10 October 1999. On 24 April 2003 the SuperStar Virgo was relocated from Singapore to operate cruises out of Perth, Western Australia due to the outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Southeast Asia. Initially the redeployment was planned to last only a one-month evaluation period, but due to the success of the cruises out of Australia the SuperStar Virgo was based in Perth until July 2003.

At our various dining outlets, we are sure to please even the most discerning palate. Savour Japanese specialities at Samurai Restaurant or exotic Indian temptations at The Taj! Check out some of our dining highlights below.

After a fun-filled day with the kids at Neptune Wet and Wild, retreat to some world-class performances at any of our entertainment outlets. You can dance the night away at the Celebrity Disco or join us for a game or two at any of our game rooms if you prefer a quiet evening.

Staying in shape and keeping fit need not be boring. You will find our comprehensive range of facilities make working out anything but mundane. After sweating it out at the gym, end your session at the Apollo Spa and Fitness Centre. Choose to rejuvenate your way from any of the exotic spa treatments.

Should you unexpectedly have to attend to some business, our business centre is equipped with the telecommunications systems to help you stay in touch with friends, love ones or business associates. Otherwise, choose to shop through SuperStar Virgo as you would a shopping mall.

In 2004 the SuperStar Virgo became the sole "mega-ship", and the only purpose-built ship, in Star Cruises' fleet, when her sister SuperStar Leo was transferred to the fleet of Star Cruises' subsidiary Norwegian Cruise Line (newbuildings planned or ordered by Star Cruises after the SuperStar Virgo had either been cancelled or moved to the NCL fleet prior to delivery).On 2 April 2008 the SuperStar Virgo relocated from Singapore to Hong Kong as her port of departure until 26 October 2008, the redeployment coinciding with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.She was then returned to Singapore late October 2008 and resumed her current itinerary.

In January 2009, Star Cruises installed a 100m mega-waterslide onboard SuperStar Virgo during her drydock period in Singapore. In January 2012, SuperStar Virgo received new hull art and livery.

SuperStar Virgo is the only international cruise ship with regular destination cruises to be homeported in Hong Kong from 7 April to 26 October 2014.

Note: The current fleet of Star Cruises ships is operated by Resorts World One under the name Genting Dream Cruises.

Take advantage of limited-time offers and special deals

• Super Star Gemini
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SuperStar Virgo

Source: Star Cruises

Overview: Superstar Virgo is a Star Cruises’ Leo class ship. She was built in 1999 and carries 2,800 passengers and full berth. She employs 1,300 crew.

Accommodation: She has 935 cabins. They are executive suite; junior suite; star suite; oceanview stateroom with balcony; deluxe oceanview stateroom with window; oceanview stateroom with porthole; deluxe inside stateroom; and inside stateroom.

Dining: Bella Vista Restaurant – main restaurant; Blue Lagoon – 24-hour dining outlet with Asian specialists; Cafe Gelato – ice cream bar; Mediterranean Buffet – international buffet restaurant; Noble Horse – Chinese restaurant; Palazzo – Italian gourmet restaurant; Pavillion Restaurant – Chinese family style restaurant; Samurai Restaurant – Japanese restaurant; and The Taj – Indian buffet.

Bars/Lounges: Bellini – champagne bar; Celebrity vodka club lounge; and Taverna – poolside theme snacks bar.

Entertainment: Neptune’s Wet and Wild; Celebrity Disco; Galaxy of Stars; The Lido show lounge; Out of Africa karaoke; Star Club game of chance; Parthenon Pool; Ampitheatre with jumbo chess board, jumbo checkers and table tennis; Universal Gymnasium; four Jacuzzis; Aquaswim; and Star Track jogging circuit.

For more information: starcruises.com

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• Norwegian Cruise Line

Trivia; What ship is the "SuperStar Leo"

By derf5585 , July 7, 2006 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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What NCL ship is it called now?

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That would be the spirit wouldn't it?

Shawnee Indian

Inside Cabins on the ship still have a mural over the beds with a nice tropical scene and a life ring in the lower left corner with the words SS LEO.............

I am curious why you ask???

I am going on the Spirit in December. And I am trying to up my post count.

I think, as the title read, it was just a trivia item to make conversation. Actually, I thought it was a good question.

Something that could be fun would be to have a photo trivia. Say, a shot that would show some place specific to one ship and then see who can name the ship and the location. Shots of places that are the same on several ships wouldn't be so great.

We really wanted to sail the Spirit when she first came over from Star Lines, and while she was sailing out of Miami. But we missed our chance that year, and the next thing we knew she was sailing from New York. Now I understand that she's heading for NOLA. Maybe we'll catch up with her there. Our particular reason for wanting to cruise on the Spirit was her Asian motif that so many people raved about (and so many other people complained about). Any opinions about that from those of you who have sailed on the ship?:)

I think, as the title read, it was just a trivia item to make conversation. Actually, I thought it was a good question.   Something that could be fun would be to have a photo trivia. Say, a shot that would show some place specific to one ship and then see who can name the ship and the location. Shots of places that are the same on several ships wouldn't be so great.   jmo   -Monte

I think the photo trivia is a great idea :)

I know they have the photo triva thingie over on a Disney board that I also frequent. It's pretty cool. I won't be able to play on here though 'cause I've never been on a cruise yet, so I wouldn't know what anything was. But I know it's a cool game to play.

Someone wanna start?

I have a great photo of the "Prow" of the ship...

Who can tell me what the prow is............

Okay, here's one for you. Taken last summer on one of NCL ships. Which one?

No fair peeking at my signature! (I changed it, anyway!)

Painting/Picture from the Spirit April 2006

Check out the lower left hand side of picture. BTW that was our room stewards:)

Prow, the fore part of a ship, the stem and its surrounding parts, hence used like keel,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prow

Almost every prow had a carved figure looking down at the waves,

http://seagifts.com/shipfig.html

Okay, here's one for you. Taken last summer on one of NCL ships. Which one?   No fair peeking at my signature! (I changed it, anyway!)

I haven't a clue, but I really like it!

With the style of it though, I'd think it would be appropriate to one of the ships in Hawaii. Maybe the Pride of America.

But weren't you on the Dawn?

Planer's Edge

I do know it has something to do with NCL because there is a very old NCL logo in the bottom right corner. It is also on an NCL ship that I have not sailed. Because it is in the "Hall of Awards" area of the ship and I love looking at those. It is also representing the ships innaugural arrival in one of the Alsaka ports.

Let's see...ships I have not sailed that go to alaska. The Star. Am I warm?

Not the Pride of America. Not the Star. Hawaii, Alaska, good thoughts!;) I haven't been on the Dawn, but am leaving for the Spirit in less than a month!:D

The Spirit was called the Leo while she was cruising the Orient.

Painting/Picture from the Spirit April 2006     Check out the lower left hand side of picture. BTW that was our room stewards:)

Let me guess..you were on Deck 5 :D :D . Putu was our steward also with Reina. Excllent people they both were!

Need another hint? Here's a view from the top deck:

I thought it might be the Wind. I have sailed the Wind twice but don't remember the "Hall of Awards" area.

I thought it might be the Wind. I have sailed the Wind twice but don't remember the "Hall of Awards" area.   PE

Yeah, you got it!:D I don't remember exactly where it was, kind of an out of the way place, I think on a upper deck toward the bow.

I think it wass outside the Observatory Lounge by the beauty salon.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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SuperStar Leo

SuperStar Leo was the first cruise ship in the Leo Class. It features a snow-white design and an elegant hull. MEYER WERFT delivered the luxury liner to Star Cruises in September 1998.

The cruise ships in the Leo Class – SuperStar Leo and SuperStar Virgo – were specifically designed for the Asian market with a whole range of highlights, such as the stunning atria that form the architectural heart of the luxury liners. These extend over seven decks and house numerous restaurants, bars and shops. The large theatres, each with around 1,000 seats, were also seen as flagship projects at the time the vessels in the Leo Class were delivered. The white mammoths feature pools, spas, gyms, basketballs courts, golf driving nets and running tracks. SuperStar Leo and SuperStar Virgo were also the world’s first ever cruise ships with a helicopter landing pad.

The 270-metre-long SuperStar Leo has been travelling the world under the name “Norwegian Spirit” since 2004.

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SuperStar Virgo Cruise Ship

The SuperStar Virgo is a Leo-class cruise ship owned and operated by Star Cruises, a member of Genting Hong Kong.

Vessel Type

Cruise ship

Owner and Operator

Star Cruises (a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong)

Ship Builder

Meyer Werft

Number of Decks

Passenger capacity, number of cabins, gross weight.

The SuperStar Virgo is a Leo-class cruise ship owned and operated by Star Cruises, a member of Genting Hong Kong. The ship was manufactured by Meyer Werft for Star Cruises’ Asian market.

The keel of the ship was laid in November 1996 and the vessel was delivered to Star Cruises in August 1999. The ship started Asian cruises from Singapore in October 1999.

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Due to the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the ship was relocated to Perth in Western Australia until July 2003. The ship returned to Singapore from Fremantle Harbour in Australia for Asian cruise operations.

As part of a major renovation in January 2009, the ship was installed with a 100m mega-waterslide onboard by Star Cruises. It later received a new hull art and livery in January 2012. The cabin and retail space of the ship was upgraded with $20m in December 2013. The ship was home ported in Hong Kong from April to October 2014.

SuperStar Virgo design and features

The SuperStar Virgo cruise ship has a length of 268m, width of 32m, height of 49.6m, draught of 7.9m, depth of 11.5m, and a gross weight of 75,338t.

The average cruising speed of the ship is 24k, while the maximum cruising speed is 25.5k. It includes one set of stabilisers, three bow and stern thrusters, and two satellite navigation systems.

SuperStar Virgo accommodation

The cruise ship has 13 decks and 935 cabins, which can accommodate up to 1,870 passengers. On-board accommodation include sea-view cabins, balcony suites, executive suites, Junior suites, and star suites.

The stateroom accommodation include oceanic staterooms with balcony, deluxe staterooms with window, ocean view stateroom with porthole, deluxe inside stateroom, and inside stateroom. More than 1,000 cabins have sea view with three and four berths, which are designed for families.

Facilities on-board SuperStar Virgo ship

The on-board facilities include 600m² of retail space, and 13 restaurants and bars, which offer Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Indian, Western and international cuisines. It includes a 100m mega-waterslide, outdoor swimming pool, and a mini golf course. It also includes karaoke room, children’s activity centre, foot reflexology salon and spa, gym, and a two-level theatre.

The ship features entertainment facilities, including a world-class magic spectacle, astounding theatrical performances, yoga and ballroom, and dancing lessons. It also includes glass art and craft workshops, kung fu and qi gong lessons, and themed parties.

Propulsion system

The ship was installed with Promas Lite propulsion system developed by Rolls-Royce in May 2014. The system contains an integrated propeller and rudder to increase efficiency. It generates approximately £800,000 a year in fuel savings and reduces the CO 2 emissions by approximately 4,000t a year.

SuperStar Virgo itineraries

Star Cruises commenced a three-month Vietnam and Sanya itinerary with Shenzhen Tai Zi Bay as homeport in April 2016. The itinerary includes Halong Bay, Hoi An Ancient Town, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Star Cruises started a five-month Japan itinerary to Naha and Miyakojima from Guangzhou, Nansha, in April 2016.

The 48-day long-haul itinerary crossing the equator to explore the Southern Hemisphere was conducted between November and December crossing more than 20 ports, including Bali, Bangkok, Krakatoa, Melbourne, Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney.

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This Small-ship Cruise Line Just Announced 2 New All-suite Vessels Will Join Its Fleet

Windstar Cruises is scheduled to launch Star Seeker in 2025 and Star Explorer in 2026.

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Boutique small-ship cruise line Windstar Cruises is growing its fleet, adding two 224-passenger vessels — both acquisitions from Mystic Cruises —  in the next two years. Star Seeker is slated to make its debut in December 2025 and Star Explorer is scheduled to follow a year later in December 2026. 

Star Seeker is under construction, while Star Explorer is currently sailing as Quark Expeditions' World Explorer. B oth ships will be reworked to include signature features of Windstar ships, from a watersports platform to Owners Suites with wraparound balconies to a whirlpool on the bow. 

Dining, in particular, will be a main focus on the ships, as Windstar has a partnership with the James Beard Foundation. The ships' dining options spaces will be expanded to include the on-deck Star Grill, the casual Yacht Club café and lounge, and a re-imagined Amphora main dining room, which will now have outdoor seating.

“Our goal was to ensure these ships are unmistakably Windstar, and a significant amount of effort has gone into achieving this,” Christopher Prelog, Windstar Cruises’ president, said in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure . “We are thrilled for this expansion, building on the success of our game-changing Star Class in small-ship cruising with guests and travel partners, while offering new experiences. This growth reflects the dedication of our incredible crew and team, allowing us to broaden our destination portfolio and even bring one of our Wind Class sail ships back to Tahiti.”

Though both ships have ice-strengthened hulls capable of sailing in the polar regions, Windstar doesn't currently operate such itineraries, focusing primarily on the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. But these new ships may open doors to adventures in the years to come.

“As part of our company’s expanding portfolio, Windstar Cruises is poised for remarkable growth and an exciting future ahead," Andrew N. Todd, president and CEO of parent company Xanterra Travel Collection, said in a statement. "We’re excited about the possibilities of where Windstar will sail and the opportunities it brings our officers, crew and staff, and our guests.”

Itineraries and booking information for Star Seeker will be announced in June 2024. You can sign up for updates at windstarcruises.com/newships .

• CruiseMapper
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• Cruise Industry
• SES unveils industry’s first integrated MEO-LEO Service with...

SES unveils industry’s first integrated MEO-LEO Service with Starlink

Cruise operators now have access to an integrated satellite connectivity solution that combines low-latency, high-throughput services from both Starlink's low-earth orbit (LEO) and SES's medium-earth orbit (MEO) systems, as jointly announced by the two companies.

This collaborative offering, known as SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink, is seamlessly integrated, marketed, and delivered by SES. It leverages the strengths of both MEO and LEO orbits to deliver continuous high-speed and secure connectivity to cruise ships and their passengers, regardless of their voyage routes or locations.

Cruise operators can benefit from SES's innovative solution, which merges Starlink's globally expansive, high-throughput LEO network with SES's high-performing MEO constellation. This integration enhances existing capacity and coverage, resulting in an unparalleled experience for guests and crew. The offering is available in two tiers: Premium (3Gbps per ship) for leading vessels aiming for industry-leading throughput and Pro (1.5Gbps per ship) for operators seeking to manage user experiences by aligning the appropriate application with the respective orbit.

SES, a managed service provider with a decade of experience in delivering connectivity services directly to cruise operators, has partnered with SpaceX's Starlink to incorporate LEO-based service into its cruise solution. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience to cruise operators and passengers alike.

The cruise industry has seen a significant increase in investment in response to evolving passenger expectations and the need for always-on, high-performance connectivity, heightened further by the impacts of the COVID crisis . This demand is accentuated by the industry's focus on addressing carbon emissions and complying with new maritime regulations, including CII and EEXI.

Scheduled for availability in the fourth quarter of 2023, SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink aims to meet the escalating requirements of cruise lines, enhancing the guest experience, optimizing smart ship operations, and attracting and retaining top-quality crew members. This fully managed solution sets a new global standard for ship connectivity, offering superior bandwidth and low-latency performance while reducing upfront capital costs and ongoing operational expenses.

The 9 classes of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, explained

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Some cruise lines — Viking , for instance — have fleets where many of the ships have the same basic design. Norwegian Cruise Line is not one of them.

If you’re thinking of booking a Norwegian cruise,  an important thing to know is that there is a wide variation in the size and style of the vessels in the line’s fleet.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Four of Norwegian’s 19 ships — Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore — are among the 30 biggest ships in the world. As such, they’re loaded with huge numbers of cabins, restaurants, bars, showrooms and deck-top amusements.

They are, in a nutshell, floating megaresorts .

The line also operates smaller vessels that barely crack the top 100 list of biggest cruise ships. These ships generally have fewer venues and attractions than the bigger ships. However, they still offer a lot for cruisers. Norwegian is a line known for packing oodles of restaurants, bars and entertainment on its vessels — even its smaller ones.

The good news for those of you trying to get a handle on all the options within the Norwegian fleet is that the line’s 19 ships can be bunched into just eight groups of vessels with similar amenities. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.

Each of these groups — known as “classes” in cruise industry lingo — is made up of ships that were constructed around the same time in the same basic design.

Related: Everything to know about cabins and suites on Norwegian ships  

An introduction to Norwegian Cruise Line ships

Smaller only than Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises , Norwegian has become increasingly known for some of the biggest, most amenity-filled vessels at sea. As mentioned above, though, the line doesn’t just operate giant ships. More than half its fleet comprises vessels that, by today’s standards, are considered almost midsize.

Indeed, Norwegian is essentially two cruise lines in one. The line’s nine newest ships are big, bustling floating megaresorts that can carry upward of 3,000 to 4,000 passengers at double occupancy (even more with every berth filled). At around 144,000 to nearly 170,000 tons, all nine currently rank among the 50 biggest cruise ships in the world (although their rankings will shift downward as more big ships debut).

Norwegian’s 10 older ships, by contrast, are much more modest in size, measuring around 75,000 to 94,000 tons and carrying closer to 2,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Norwegian thus appeals both to cruisers who like a giant resort vibe and those who prefer a resort experience that is more modest. The key, depending on your tastes, is getting on the right ship in the fleet for you.

On the big-ship end of the spectrum, Norwegian’s four new Breakaway Plus vessels — Norwegian Encore , Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape — are the line’s premier offerings.

One step down in size from the Breakaway Plus ships are the still-quite-large Breakaway-class ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — and the one-of-a-kind Norwegian Epic.

The smallest of the line’s big ships are the recently unveiled Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima. They are the first two of a new series of six vessels that will transform the brand. Measuring about 143,500 tons a piece, these two new ships are about 17% smaller than Norwegian’s biggest vessels.

Norwegian’s 10 smaller vessels break down into five classes, though many are roughly the same size and offer similar amenities.

Prima class

Ships in class: Norwegian Prima (2022), Norwegian Viva (2023).

Size: 143,535 tons.

The Prima class of ships is the latest and greatest at Norwegian Cruise Line — the vessels that every NCL fan wants to book.

Only two ships in the series (Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima ) are currently in operation. Four more sister vessels are on order for delivery by 2027.

Under development since 2017, these ships mark Norwegian’s first new class of vessel in more than a decade. At 143,535 tons, they are notably smaller than the ships the line has been adding in recent years — a factor that will give them access to smaller ports around the world.

That said, Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima and their coming sisters still are relatively big ships that pack a lot of over-the-top amenities. Both Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima have ridiculously big go-kart tracks spread over three decks (a cruise industry first). The ships also boast The Drop, a 10-story dry slide that the line says provides more G-force than an accelerating Formula One race car.

Additionally, the vessels each are home to a three-deck theater that converts into a Las Vegas-style nightclub, along with a list of interactive, real-life game shows, including at-sea versions of “The Price Is Right,” “Supermarket Sweep,” “Press Your Luck” and “Beat the Clock.”

Related: I’ve been on nearly every Norwegian ship afloat; here are my first impressions of Norwegian Prima

Still, the new Prima class is about more than flashy entertainment and activities. It marks a more upscale turn for the line. Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima offer the largest variety of suite categories (13) for a large ocean ship, the largest three-bedroom suites of any new cruise vessel and the brand’s largest-ever inside, ocean-view and balcony cabins.

The entire back of each of the ships is dedicated to an upscale, “ship-within-a-ship” private suite area called The Haven that rises eight decks high and includes 107 suites, a sprawling private indoor lounge area, private outdoor lounge and pool areas, and a private restaurant. Other vessels feature The Haven areas, but none as big as this one.

In addition, the public areas of Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima feel more spacious than many of the other 17 ships in the Norwegian fleet. And, indeed, they are. The Prima-class ships are being built with a higher ratio of space to passengers, which itself is an upscale touch.

Norwegian Cruise Line also says the Prima-class vessels offer the most outdoor deck space of any new cruise ship — including more total pool deck space than any other ships in the brand’s fleet.

Note that the last four ships in the Prima-class series, due to debut between 2025 and 2027, are being redesigned to be bigger than the first two ships in the series.

Related: 11 venues, 32 dishes, four days: See what happened when I tried to test every dish at Prima’s new Indulge Food Hall  

Breakaway Plus class

Ships in class: Norwegian Encore (2019), Norwegian Bliss (2018), Norwegian Joy (2017), Norwegian Escape (2015).

Size: 164,600 to 169,145 tons.

These are the Norwegian ships you go on if you’re a fan of megaresorts.

While not quite as big as Royal Caribbean’s giant Oasis-class ships , Norwegian’s Breakaway Plus-class vessels are firmly in the pantheon of the world’s cruising giants. They are the Norwegian ships most packed with restaurants, bars, entertainment and over-the-top attractions. There are so many of these things that you won’t be able to do it all in a single, weeklong cruise.

The Breakaway Plus ships are so big, in fact, that they have room for giant go-kart tracks and laser tag areas on their top decks (on all of the vessels in the series except Norwegian Escape). There’s also plenty of room to spare for multiple pools, waterslides and a kiddie splash zone.

Each of the vessels also offers real Broadway shows in big, state-of-the-art theaters, sprawling spas, casinos that fill half a deck, dedicated children’s play zones, and more than 2,000 rooms.

In addition, the two newest ships in this series, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, have large gaming and virtual reality zones called the Galaxy Pavilion.

For meals, you’ll find at least 20 venues on each of these ships, including multiple main dining rooms and a buffet that come with no extra charge and such extra-charge eateries as a teppanyaki restaurant, a steakhouse, a high-end French restaurant and a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea.

With lots of family-friendly attractions such as the go-kart tracks and laser tag courses, these ships appeal heavily to families with children, particularly teens, but they draw a lot of couples, too. They are also popular with solo travelers, thanks to their unusually large complexes of cabins for one (something you’ll find on the Breakaway and Epic classes of ships, too).

Related: The ultimate guide to Norwegian’s Latitudes Rewards loyalty program

All four of the Breakaway Plus ships have large, private, two-deck-high suite enclaves called The Haven that come with their own pool areas, restaurants and lounges. They’re some of the most spectacular suite complexes anywhere at sea .

The biggest of these ships, Norwegian Encore, measures 169,116 tons, making it the 18th-biggest cruise ship in the world as of this story’s publishing (it will drop in the rankings over the coming years as additional megaships debut). That’s bigger than all but one Carnival ship and every Princess Cruises ship. Only Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises have a significant number of bigger vessels.

Norwegian Encore can hold more than 5,000 passengers with all berths filled.

Breakaway class

Ships in class: Norwegian Getaway (2014), Norwegian Breakaway (2013).

Size: 145,655 tons.

These vessels are similar to the Breakaway Plus-class ships but slightly smaller. Or, put another way, the Breakaway Plus-class ships are a stretched version of the Breakaway-class ships.

You’ll find many of the same eateries, bars, lounges and entertainment venues on the Breakaway-class ships that you’ll find on the Breakaway Plus-class vessels. The slightly smaller size of these vessels means there’s just a tad less “stuff” on board.

The top decks of the Breakaway-class ships have two pool areas and water parks with waterslides, for instance — just like the Breakaway Plus-class ships. However, they don’t have go-kart tracks or laser tag courses. Instead of the latter attractions, you’ll find an adults-only pool area called Spice H2O at the back of the vessels. At night, it transforms into a dance club.

Related: Every Norwegian Cruise Line ship ranked from biggest to smallest  

The Breakaway-class ships also boast full-size ropes courses on their top decks. Indeed, they were the first cruise ships ever to have such a feature. Other deck-top features include miniature golf courses on both vessels and basketball courts that double as volleyball courts.

On the entertainment front, both ships offer Broadway shows in their main theaters and have a circuslike show in a secondary theater called “Cirque Dreams.” The latter is a dinner show that comes with an extra charge. They’re also home to “Howl at the Moon” dueling piano shows and a version of the Latin-themed dance show “Burn the Floor.”

Like the Breakaway Plus vessels, the Breakaway ships have large complexes for solo travelers, as well as large, private The Haven suite complexes.

In general, as with the Breakaway Plus ships, these vessels are best for vacationers who like a megaresort-type experience, and they appeal heavily to families with children who love all their deck-top attractions. Each of the two ships in this series — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — holds about 4,000 passengers at double occupancy.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Norwegian ship

Ships in class: Norwegian Epic (2010).

Size: 155,873 tons.

Norwegian Epic is an outlier in the Norwegian fleet. Unveiled in 2010, it was originally supposed to be the first of a series of up to three similar vessels. However, after disagreements with the shipyard that built it, Norwegian eventually canceled an order for a second ship in the series and an option for a third ship in the series, leaving Norwegian Epic in a class of one.

While roughly comparable in size to the Breakaway Plus- and Breakaway-class ships (it’s a bit smaller than the former vessels and a bit bigger than the latter vessels), Norwegian Epic has a notably different design that includes some unique features.

Perhaps most notably, balcony cabins on the ship have an unusual design that includes curved walls, rounded bed corners, and a sink and vanity area that is in the main living space (for all to see), separate from a closed-off toilet area. The toilet area is behind a translucent door that some cruisers find less private than they had hoped.

Norwegian Epic is also home to the only tube-and-bowl waterslide at sea and has such rare-for-cruise-ships attractions as a rappelling wall and a three-lane bowling alley. It also features an ice bar where customers wear parkas while sipping drinks.

Still, Norwegian Epic also offers a lot that will be familiar to Norwegian fans, including many of the line’s signature restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Standout features on Norwegian Epic include a water park with some of the most over-the-top waterslides at sea (including the aforementioned tube-and-bowl slide). It also offers a version of the Burn the Floor dance show that played on Broadway and on the West End in London, as well as a Howl at the Moon piano bar and a recreation of the Cavern Club nightspot in Liverpool, England, where The Beatles got their start (complete with a The Beatles cover band).

In addition, Norwegian Epic has the line’s biggest solo cabin complex (with 128 rooms for one) and a giant The Haven private suite complex.

At 155,873 tons, Norwegian Epic currently ranks as the 34th biggest cruise vessel in the world. Notably, it was the world’s third-largest ship when it debuted in 2010. That tells you just how much the cruise industry has grown in recent years.

Norwegian Epic carries 4,100 passengers at double occupancy.

Jewel class

Ships in class: Norwegian Gem (2007), Norwegian Jade (2006), Norwegian Pearl (2006), Norwegian Jewel (2005).

Size: About 93,500 tons.

Are you unsure if you want to sail on a megaship with 4,000 or more people but still want a vessel with a good amount of features and activities? The Jewel-class ships may be the perfect solution.

At 93,500 tons, the four vessels in the series are nearly 50% smaller than the line’s Breakaway Plus-class ships but still big enough that they have a lot to offer.

Each of the vessels has more than a dozen food venues, including three main restaurants, a casual buffet, a steakhouse, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You’ll also find multiple pools on each of the ships, along with whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Each of the ships also has a theater, spa, casino, and multiple bars and lounges.

What you won’t find on the ships, because of their smaller size, are all the gee-whiz attractions such as go-kart tracks, laser tag courses and large water-park areas that Norwegian has put on its bigger vessels. If you can’t live without those sorts of features on a cruise ship, then the Jewel class probably isn’t for you.

Note that Norwegian Gem does have a climbing wall and a single waterslide. Norwegian Pearl has a climbing wall but no waterslide. Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Jade have neither of the attractions.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line ships listed from newest to oldest

Each of the Jewel-class ships holds around 2,400 passengers at double occupancy (plus a few hundred more with every berth filled). That’s about 40% fewer passengers than you’ll find on the biggest Norwegian ships.

That makes them perfect for cruisers who want to get away from the sort of crowds that are on the biggest megaships without giving up many of the amenities that big ships have to offer.

Pride of America class

Ships in class: Pride of America (2005).

Size: 80,439 tons.

Like Norwegian Epic, Pride of America is an outlier in the Norwegian fleet. In fact, it’s perhaps an even bigger outlier than the former vessel.

Sporting a patriotic U.S. theme (you’ll find venues named after Thomas Jefferson and John Adams) and a distinct array of lounges and entertainment, it’s a ship specifically designed to sail year-round in Hawaii — the only one of its kind at any line.

Pride of America notably flies a U.S. flag and operates with a mostly U.S. crew, in keeping with regulations governing cruise itineraries that only include U.S. ports. That’s a big difference from any other big cruise vessel in the world.

Related: The best Hawaii cruises for every type of traveler

It’s also the only Norwegian vessel without a casino, in keeping with local Hawaii regulations.

If you sail on Pride of America, you’ll find such one-of-a-kind eateries as the classic American car-themed Cadillac Diner. You’ll also find some of Norwegian’s signature offerings, including a Cagney’s steak house and Italian eatery La Cucina. The ship’s other onboard attractions include a showroom, lounges, bars and a top deck with extensive open-air pool and sun lounging areas.

Thanks to its ownership of Pride of America, Norwegian is the undisputed leader in Hawaii cruises. Most cruise lines that offer sailings to Hawaii only offer a limited number of such trips during a few months each year. Norwegian, by contrast, offers sailings around the Hawaiian Islands every week of the year — the only cruise line in the world to do so.

An iconic presence in Hawaii, Pride of America has been permanently dedicated to the archipelago since its debut in 2005. It offers a repeating seven-night itinerary that begins each Saturday in Honolulu and brings the chance to visit four different Hawaiian islands on a single, seven-night trip.

Beginning and ending on the island of Oahu, the itinerary includes two days each on Maui, Kauai and Hawaii. The two-day visit to Maui involves an overnight stay at the port of Kahului. The two-day visit to Kauai involves an overnight stay at the port of Nawiliwili. The two-day visit to Hawaii is split between a call at Hilo and a call at Kona.

Ships in class: Norwegian Dawn (2002), Norwegian Star (2001).

Size: 92,250 and 91,740 tons.

The Dawn-class ships are similar to the Jewel-class ships in size and amenities, with a few differences.

Like the former vessels, the Dawn-class ships have around a dozen food-serving venues, including three main restaurants, a casual buffet, a Brazilian churrascaria (barbecue) restaurant, a French restaurant and a teppanyaki eatery.

You’ll also find multiple pools on each of the ships, whirlpools, basketball courts and golf driving nets. Each of the ships also has a theater, spa, casino, and multiple bars and lounges.

Like the Jewel-class ships, the Dawn-class vessels lack the sort of big attractions such as go-kart tracks and large water parks found on bigger Norwegian vessels. In addition, there are no Broadway musicals on Dawn-class ships, and they don’t have a private The Haven suite area (though they do have several giant suites called Garden Villas that measure more than 6,000 square feet).

If you can’t live without those sorts of features on a cruise ship, then the Dawn class probably isn’t for you.

Ships in class: Norwegian Sun (2001), Norwegian Sky (1999).

Size: 78,309 and 77,104 tons.

Dating to 2001 and 1999, respectively, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky are among the smallest ships at Norwegian. They offer fewer onboard attractions and amenities than is typical for the line’s vessels.

In general, they appeal to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience on a cruise ship than what you’ll find on the big Norwegian ships. They also draw cruisers who care more about the destinations that they visit on a cruise than onboard attractions.

On each of the vessels, you’ll find more than half a dozen eateries, including several main dining rooms, a casual buffet, a diner-style pub, a steakhouse, an Italian trattoria and a French bistro.

On their top decks, the ships have pools (one on Sun, two on Sky), whirlpools, a basketball court that doubles as a volleyball court, golf driving nets and a jogging track. The ships also have casinos and theaters with nightly shows.

Unlike most bigger Norwegian ships, neither of the vessels has a private The Haven suite complex or solo cabins.

Ships in class: Norwegian Spirit (1998).

Size: 75,904 tons.

Dating to 1998, Norwegian Spirit is Norwegian’s smallest and oldest ship, and — like the line’s Sun-class ships — it generally appeals to cruisers looking for a more intimate experience than you’ll find on the big Norwegian ships.

At 75,904 tons, Norwegian Spirit is less than half the size of Norwegian’s biggest ships, and it carries just 1,966 passengers — more than 2,000 fewer than the Norwegian biggies.

It also offers fewer (but still quite a few) venues and attractions. In all, you’ll find 13 food outlets on board, including two main restaurants, a casual buffet eatery, and versions of the line’s signature Cagney’s steakhouse and French eatery Le Bistro. There are more than half a dozen bars and cafes.

Deck-top attractions include several pools, whirlpools, waterslides, a basketball court and a jogging track. The ship also has a casino, spa, nightclub and theater.

Of note, Norwegian Spirit originally was built for Asia-based Star Cruises (where it was called SuperStar Leo).

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your 1st cruise

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.